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Sexual violence, health and humanitarian ethics: Towards a holistic, person-centred approach

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 August 2015

Paul Bouvier
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Abstract

Sexual violence and rape in armed conflicts are widespread phenomena, with devastating consequences. Over the last thirty years, our understanding of these phenomena has significantly improved. Today humanitarian and health professionals understand better the reality, scale and impact of sexual violence on the personal, physical, social and mental health of individuals and communities. Rape is recognized to have a dehumanizing effect, as much as torture or mass violence. Major efforts are put into providing an effective and ethical response, with respect and sympathy to the survivors. Health and humanitarian assistance contribute to the healing and resilience of survivors and communities. Looking forward, programmes must be centred on the person, promoting their autonomy and dignity, and integrating medical, psychosocial and socio-economical responses.

Keywords

sexual violencearmed conflictshumanitarian ethicshumanitarian assistanceaccess to health care
Type
Addressing/Responding to sexual violence in armed conflict
Information
International Review of the Red Cross , Volume 96 , Issue 894: Sexual violence in armed conflict , June 2014 , pp. 565 - 584
Copyright
Copyright © icrc 2015 

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References

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8 The Elements of Crimes of the International Criminal Court explicitly use the wording “coercion” and “coercive environment” to define rape and sexual violence as a war crime and a crime against humanity: “The invasion was committed by force, or by the threat of force or coercion, such as that was caused by fear of violence, duress, detention, psychological oppression, or abuse of power, against such person or another person, or by taking advantage of a coercive environment or the invasion was committed against a person incapable of giving genuine consent” (emphasis added). See e.g. Elements of Crimes of the International Criminal Court, The Hague, 2011, Arts 7(1)(g)-1, 7(1)(g)-6, 8(2)(b)(xxii)-1, 8(2)(b)(xxii)-6, available at: www.icc-cpi.int/NR/rdonlyres/336923D8-A6AD-40EC-AD7B-45BF9DE73D56/0/ElementsOfCrimesEng.pdf (all internet references were accessed in October 2014).

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67 For examples of effective programmes based on vulnerability and resilience, see Suniya S. Luthar, Resilience and Vulnerability: Adaptation in the Context of Childhood Adversities, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2003.

68 See the opening section “Voices and Perspectives” in this issue of the Review.